The New Nation - Internet Edition

Muhammad Quamrul Islam

I received an invitation of President and General Secretary of 'Nagorik Samaj', on March12, 2008 to attend a seminar on March 25 relating to thoughts of citizens for that type of politicians they need on the eve of Independence Day. Despite the fact I am sick feeling unwell on sudden death of my friend batch mate of Dhaka University1961, I told general secretary over phone I would attend as requested. Plainly speaking, it is difficult for me at age 67 to attend a seminar by public transport at National Press Club, as I have no personal one. On March 25,2008 an article of mine on my friend Bazlur Rahman was published as a post editorial in the traditional vernacular national daily Sangbad, of which he was its editor till death. We would like to draw attention of readers and citizens, which might be treated as a case study to seminar subject for future actions.

As I entered seminar room, reaching the Press Club by public transport, I found it has just started on scheduled time, an organiser provided a seat for me, thanks to them. I was delighted to see superb arrangements made by the organisers, which is not a media show project some faces for benefits of some but sincerely productive one corroborated by the concerned experts. Israt Jahan, an active leader of Ngorik Samaj conducted those seminar proceedings nicely, braving interruptions at the end of open discussion to safe conclusion.

Along her side, there were political leaders namely an Awami League presidium member Surenjit Sen Gupta, Gano Forum founder President Dr. Kamal Hossain who is also NGO civil Society leader and eminent lawyer, President of JSD (Inu) Hasanul Haq Inu, and so on. Surely, they have listened to commoners in open discussion, carried their concerns to concerned quarters including Caretaker Government [CG] and Election Commission with whom Dr. Kamal Hossain has easy access in different capacities, reports show.

What were in open discussions realistic, not tuned to please or displease any body?

As moderated and requested by Israt Jahan each discussant came to the microphone to ventilate grievances and expectations in clear terms, which are to be noted, by politicians of all ranks, and hues- leftists, rightists and centrists. But, how would they get it, as. I am told few print media only showed photo of few political leaders with banner behind, with no report, not to speak of the grassroots levels discussants, which would number 18 made valuable comments from hearts. I would like to summarise those as far as I could note for readers; interested political party activists might have names of those speakers, discussion recorded from the organiser.

BUET student slain Sony's father Habibur Rahman soaked with emotion naturally, as addressed audience include political leaders and asked political parties to delink students as fronts of organisations. He is eagerly looking for honest political leaderships to emerge in that spirit of one eleven changeover and reforms made so far.

Social worker AB M Osman Gani presented, circulated a paper on the seminar subject, which merits consideration by political leaders. One speaker commented he ought to have dealt more elaborately prevailing unemployment situation. Gani rightly said expectations raised by one eleven changeover is dimming out after 13 months. He has observed parties are in no mood change past practices instill inner party democracy and induct new honest persons. So the question in which direction we are moving. Still party chiefs stick to post until death, so to say. Sacrificing politicians that was usual trait of this country, missed in post Bangladesh. If octogenarian, or life president, is the way of a party then how politics can flourish.

Gani referred to Maulana Bhashani who throughout his life did politics for the toiling masses. He served selflessly realise rights of the people without looking for power. But after his death on November17, 1976 those left National Awami Party [NAP] join power based new parties. Erstwhile Soviet Union group used the name of NAP, which was also splinted. Various fake factions in the name of NAP and Bhashani, through press releases, appeared who made livings for them, concerned activists say. To get out of this melee the Bhashani followers made the co-ordination council towards the end of 1980s undertook a countrywide program, leading to the representative conference on August31, 1990 in the National Press Club auditorium that elected a National Committee led by Barrister Abdul Haq, a founding member of NAP in 1957 and parliamentary party leader in then National Assembly. On toppling of Ershad regime December 6,1990, we felt let the elections held under interim neutral government headed by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed as per demands of three alliances to usher democracy. On our part we had little time in hand, reorganized NAP contest meaningfully; some veterans pointed elections would not produce effective parliament- voter list yet to be corrected, and mainstream parties accepted turncoats and wealthy persons for nominations. Their apprehensions came true, as allegations of subtle rigging arose and 5th parliament became ineffective half way, and street agitations.

It led 13th amendment to constitution, provide for 'Non -Party Caretaker Government' hold parliamentary elections, unknown to democracy, even in this country upto1970, not to speak of neighbouring state of West Bengal, India, exemplifies world democracy. It put a death nail in the coffin of Bangladesh democracy, said elderly politician in British- Pak period. Successive Caretaker Governments [CG] held elections that produced Ineffective 7th and 8th Parliaments culminating in most corrupt country in the world leading to severe crisis, one eleven change over. But former caretaker advisers of all those CGs do not feel ashamed; rather become icon of seminars, say retired bureaucrats Akber Ali Khan and so Hafizuddin Khan talking tall sermonizing on issues. What they did while in service and a caretaker adviser? Could they escape responsibility; who are holding positions till to day? Whom they are criticizing what for, who will give solution? Putting them back to another type of government? Our clear answer is no more political innovations like national or so on government, only to prolong sufferings of the poor people, while those in government of any type would enjoy sovereign benefits at home and abroad.

Reconstituted reshuffled CG and Election Commission yet to bring any visible change in the level of consciousness of the politicians. Concerned citizens observed. It is said we do not want to go back to a situation prior to one eleven, but how? Despite regular news of rising prices of essential goods in the national dailies, no practical steps are seen in the market by the civil authorities, except theorising issues like monitoring, reviving old laws lying dormant in the files. Changing of advisers and appointing of special assistants have not been a solution so far. Then why? Citizens do not know the criterion of appointments and dropping of advisers making rooms for new faces? Is it a type of Tadbir by so-called pressure groups or personal likes or dislikes? We pass on these anxieties to the concerned authorities thru this column. One day they would become former advisers enjoy prestige? But that will not help the commoners of sovereign Bangladesh, nor Morally tenable.

Researcher Gani rightly wrote still there are significant numbers of self-sacrificing and honest politicians in this country. But they are marginalized due to pressure of one-person show in party politics, family centered, and dishonest politics that need no elaboration. So far Anti- Corruption Commission has done well facing bureaucratic and legal hurdles. It cannot be all, which is a continuous process. It is the responsibility of public to patronize the honest politicians. Who will carry this message to the public? Would the government functionaries including Election Commission that has offices up to upazila levels conduct this civic education program, which Maulana Bhashani visualised in his last address? We do not think NGOs can do this job which are prone to seminars, fixing few posters or talk shows in TV channels; show donors, as learnt from the credible media specialists. Let us be specific what is to be done to bring them to scene serve this ill fated country, to which attention of all held seminars at National Press Club lounge DRU auditorium, posh hotels are invited as well as those civil society leaders issuing statements.

Then we can find politicians worth the name to meet the 11- points of Gani stated in his paper. It is not understood why an 8 yellow page paper on national unity accord presented by Dr. Kamal Hossain was circulated! It was in a meeting on Jauary11, 2008 at Engineers Institute. Any way we fail to understand definition and purpose of national dialogue with a non-political non -party CG, apparently so. Who are those persons implement proposed 10-point agenda of national dialogue? We need no more abstract thinking, but want to see names of persons with records of capability beforehand and not after sworn in.

The cross section of common discussants exclaimed never we tasted independence. Let future see it. A retired College teacher wants high prices should be checked, which is common tune. A medical doctor said Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus came to politics and then said 'No' to politics! New face is needed, but where, asked a discussant? Obviously, new faces do not mean turncoats, new party with old discarded leaders, or combination of self styled national leaders. This is a vital question, which has been properly touched by Gani in his paper.

So what type of politicians needed for party and elections?

In a nutshell, every body wanted to see honest, knowledgeable and efficient politicians in coming days. Who is then politician? Politician has natural political conscience having track record of service to people, who has shown courage and sacrifice to the cause of the country and people. S/he can say 'no' in the interest of party and country to party chief or illegal requests of party workers and leaders, as the case may be. S/ he would not indulge in flattery for personal aggrandizement. But, question arises if such men and women will get nominations to contest elections? Political parties give nominations [or alliance fetch vote banks or show big front with tiny allies on one- seat one- party basis]. Interpretation of political party is given in Article 152 of the constitution. But, how many do conform to this interpretation?

Election Commission [EC] conducted dialogues with parties as per their standard, except Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], because of a court case, verdict on which be passed on April10, we are told. EC is yet to finalize electoral reforms and conduct into law. If we take declaration of CG and EC hold credible elections by end of 2008; then no much time is in hand as voter list and ID Card is yet to be completed and finalized, parties nominate competent candidates after internal reform of parties and take into fold of each party good leaders and workers. Look how political parties operate and elections held in neighboring Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalay. There is no reason why we couldn't uphold that heritage, being Bangladesh is sovereign, which they have maintained. Now it is reported CG likely to open dialogue with political parties this month. Would new Law Adviser Hasan Ariff, after Barrister Mainul Hossain who had sound political experiences, be equal to the task under the guidance of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed reach the consensus with the political parties for credible elections as per reforms? Let us hope CG and political parties keep in mind what type of politicians people voters want. In no case caretaker advisers with NGO background be kept in the team for dialogue/s with political parties for obvious reasons. We bring this matter to the notice of international community particularly USA and next-door neighbor India.